Detroit 109, Spurs 100: ‘They kicked our…’

The Spurs (37-15) had fallen behind by double-digits in eight straight games, and Monday’s contest in Detroit was no different. They rallied to win four of the previous five. But there was no comeback against the Pistons (22-29), who capitalized on 19 Spurs turnovers and a major size advantage to lead by as many as 23 points. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich offered a stark assessment of just their fourth loss to a losing team: “They kicked our ass.”

Player of the game

It was impossible to single out either of Detroit’s big men, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. Both dominated on the glass with 10 and nine boards, respectively, including a total of 10 on the offensive end. Both scored with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Both scored efficiently, making 7 of 10 shots apiece. It was their collective effort that helped Detroit exploit Tiago Splitter’s absence and wreck the Spurs inside for 18 offensive rebounds and 52 points in the paint.

The turning point

Up 44-43 late in the first half, the Pistons blew the game wide open with a 29-9 surge bridging the halftime break (15-5 before, 14-4 after). They made only five 3-pointers on the night — about what you’d expect from the worst long-range shooting team in the league. But four came during the initial leg of that run, including three straight at one point as the Pistons built an advantage from which the Spurs would never recover.

News, notes and observations

* It obviously didn’t matter on Monday as the Pistons romped in their first game under interim head coach John Loyer. But check this fascinating stat from Fox Sports Southwest: There have been 11 coaching changes in Detroit, and 188 in the NBA overall, since Popovich fired and replaced Bob Hill in 1996. He explained the secret of his longevity before tipoff: “I have information on everybody.” That, and Tim Duncan.

* Monday’s game marked the 22nd different starting lineup of the season for the Spurs, who played a second straight game without Splitter (bruised shin). Manu Ginobili (hamstring) and Kawhi Leonard (hand) continue to mend as well. But Popovich indicated that Ginobili, who went through a spirited pregame workout, could be back immediately after the All-Star break. Leonard, meanwhile, sounds like he’ll need more time.

* The Spurs actually outshot the Pistons by nearly five percentage points, 52.4 to 47.8. But Detroit negated any advantage that might have yielded by dominating the peripheral stats almost across the board: 26-12 in points of turnovers, 15-11 in second-chance points and 19-13 in fastbreak points. They also limited the Spurs, the NBA’s top 3-point shooting team, to just 5 long-range makes on 17 attempts.

* Patty Mills sprained an ankle and Danny Green sprained a knuckle on his shooting hand, but both told the Express-News’ Jeff McDonald that they expect to play Wednesday against Boston.